Happy Friday, friends! We’ve made it through another week, and that means it’s time for another First Line Friday linkup! The book I’m featuring this week hits a little close to home in 2020… Airborne by DiAnn Mills centers around a deadly virus and the race to discover who released it. The Kindle version is already available, and the paperback will be out on September 8th!

“Vacations offered a distraction for those who longed to rest and rejuvenate, but FBI Special Agent Heather Lawrence wrestled with the decision to take an overseas trip alone.”

Airborne by DiAnn Mills

The Basics

Title: Airborne

Author: DiAnn Mills

Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller

Release Date: April 28, 2020 (Kindle); September 8, 2020 (Paperback)

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Heather Lawrence’s long-awaited vacation to Salzburg wasn’t supposed to go like this. Mere hours into the transatlantic flight, the Houston FBI agent is awakened when passengers begin exhibiting horrific symptoms of an unknown infection. As the virus quickly spreads and dozens of passengers fall ill, Heather fears she’s witnessing an epidemic similar to ones her estranged husband studies for a living—but this airborne contagion may have been deliberately released.

While Heather remains quarantined with other survivors, she works with her FBI colleagues to identify the person behind this attack. The prime suspect? Dr. Chad Lawrence, an expert in his field . . . and Heather’s husband. The Lawrences’ marriage has been on the rocks since Chad announced his career took precedence over his wife and future family and moved out.

As more victims fall prey days after the initial outbreak, time’s running out to hunt down the killer, one who may be closer to the victims than anyone ever expected.

My Thoughts

Airborne by DiAnn Mills is definitely a timely story – one that could almost be ripped from the headlines! While there are differences from real life – this fictional virus is incredibly deadly and released as a bio-weapon – the fact that we are living through a global pandemic makes this story seem much more real.

The story is full of nail-biting suspense, as we’ve come to know and love from DiAnn Mills, but it also includes plenty of dynamic characters. Chad and Heather both go through some challenging circumstances, both together and separately, as their marriage is in trouble and it looks like Chad might have something to do with the virus. I did have my suspicions about who the killer might be, but I was definitely surprised by how it all played out! This book will keep you turning pages long into the night. Another great book by DiAnn Mills!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday, friends! If you are a fan of contemporary romance with a little historical mystery and treasure hunting mixed in, you will love the book I’m featuring today! It’s A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson, the third and final book in her Georgia Coast Romance series. I’m linking up with Hoarding Books for First Line Friday to share the first line and my review!

“Penelope Jean Hunter loved every wedding she’d ever been to. Except her own.”

A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson

What a great first line! I don’t know about you, but I have to keep reading to find out what happened at Penelope’s wedding!

The Basics

Title: A Dazzle of Diamonds

Author: Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance (Book 3 of 3)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah’s premier historic venues–until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.

Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot–and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.

To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job–and falling helplessly in love.

My Thoughts

This story certainly lives up to its name – it is dazzling! I loved Penelope and Tucker’s relationship and the chemistry between them. Marriage of convenience, or in this case dating relationship of convenience, is one of my favorite storylines, and it’s done beautifully in this story. The Southern charm and history of Savannah lends itself to the treasure-hunting element of the book, this time focused on smuggled goods from the Civil War. It’s a beautiful story of friendship that turns into a love story, and whenever I had to put the book down I couldn’t wait to jump back in!

Penelope, who always has a plan for everything, is afraid that pursuing a relationship with Tucker will ruin their lifelong friendship and send him running like her father and ex-fiance. Tucker, a strong yet gentle veteran, believes that he isn’t worthy of her and feels like he has something to prove, to his father and to the whole city as he runs for mayor. The history of the treasure and long-ago love story woven in adds just the right amount of sparkle to the story. This is the last book in a series (see my reviews of the first book here), but all three books can be read as stand-alone novels. I highly recommend this book (and series) to fans of Courtney Walsh, Becky Wade, and Rachel Hauck!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!

Happy Friday! For today’s First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books, I’m featuring a new release from a new-to-me author – Love and a Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray. I have to admit, the title really intrigued me, and I ended up really loving this story!

“I’ve face-planted myself into rock bottom.”

Love and a Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray

Isn’t that a great first line? What a way to start the story!

The Basics

Title: Love and a Little White Lie

Author: Tammy L. Gray

Series: State of Grace (Book 1)

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: After a heartbreak leaves her reeling, January Sanders is open to anything–including moving into a cabin on her aunt’s wedding-venue property and accepting a temporary position at her aunt’s church despite being a lifelong skeptic of faith. Choosing to keep her doubts to herself, she’s determined to give her all to supporting Grace Community’s overworked staff while helping herself move on.

What she doesn’t count on is meeting the church’s handsome and charming guitarist. It’s a match set for disaster, and yet January has no ability to stay away, even if it means pretending to have faith in a God she doesn’t believe in.

Only this time, keeping her secret isn’t as easy as she thought it would be. Especially when she’s constantly running into her aunt’s landscape architect, who seems to know everything about her past-and-present sins and makes no apologies about pushing her to deal with feelings she’d rather keep buried.

Torn between two worlds that can’t coexist, can January find the healing that’s eluded her, or will her resistance to the truth ruin any chance of happiness?

My Thoughts

This was such a fun book! It’s lighthearted with serious moments too, as Jan struggles with feeling lost after her breakup, move, and job change. Her job at a church, combined with her skepticism towards faith and her unfamiliarity with “Christianese,” provide some humor as well as heartfelt moments. The two heroes in the story also make things a little unpredictable, and I really enjoyed the witty dialogue and writing style.

Some Christian fiction can come across as cliche, cheesy, or preachy, but that’s not the case here. I love the way Jan’s questions about faith are explored – her story was portrayed in a genuine, authentic way. I’m looking forward to reading more of Tammy L. Gray’s books!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday, fellow readers! It’s time for another First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books. Today I’m featuring a new release from this week – Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman!

“Exposed. Kiley felt exposed.”

Minutes to Die by Susan Sleeman

The Basics

Title: Minutes to Die

Author: Susan Sleeman

Series: Homeland Heroes (Book 2 of 3)

Genre: Christian romantic suspense

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: It’s the intel every agent fears–terrorists have been smuggled into the country, intent on unleashing the most deadly attack since 9/11. With the threat imminent, FBI Agent Kiley Dawson and ICE Agent Evan Bowers are charged with taking down this terrorist cell. The only problem is Kiley blames Evan for the death of her former partner, and she can barely be in the same room with him. But with millions of lives on the line, she has no choice.

If it wasn’t for a bad call Evan made, Kiley’s former partner would still be alive, and Evan has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life. When he starts falling for her, the agent’s death seems an impossible obstacle. As the terrorist plot targets Kiley’s family, the two are pushed to the breaking point in a race to save countless lives.

My Thoughts

The first book in this series, Seconds to Live, was my introduction to Susan Sleeman’s books. It wasn’t my favorite, but something changed with this book, and I absolutely loved it! The intensity and action drew me in from the beginning, and I had a hard time putting it down!

The chemistry and relationship between the main characters, Kiley and Evan, seemed much more authentic than the first book. The plot was gripping, which is to be expected in a story about terrorist plot, but I thought the balance between the action and quieter moments was really well done. I enjoyed the unique focus on the RED Team and their camaraderie, and I can’t wait for the next book!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.